Education of the Marine Animal Ecology Group

The MAE provides education and training at the BSc, MSc and PhD level.

Courses

Life History of Aquatic Organisms (AFI-31306, P1)
Marine Systems (AEW-22806, P1)
Environmental Quality and Governance (ENP-35806, P2,5)
Advanced Molecular Ecology (MAE-50806, P3)
Molecular and Evolutionary Ecology (GEN-20306, P5)
Introduction in Animal Ecology (REG-21306, P6)
Introduction to Marine and Estuarine Ecology (AEW-51806, P6)
Marine Animal Ecology (MAE-30306, P6)

Research projects

We are always looking for motivated students for BSc and MSc theses, internships and Short Research Projects. Contact Diede Maas for more information on available projects or check out our Research Lines to see what sparks your interest.

Short Research Project (MAE-50306, P1-6)
BSc Thesis (WUR-BSc, P1-6)
MSc Thesis (MAE-80324, P1-6)
MSc Internship (MAE-70324, P1-6)

Examples of projects that students can currently join:

Identifying cryptic species in sponges or biomonitoring structures. By using DNA, we can perform biomonitoring via the barcoding of species. Sponges are known to have symbioses with not only microorganisms but also macroorganisms. We are working on identifying the crypto-fauna associated with sponges. Furthermore, we have been deploying autonomous reef monitoring systems (ARMs) and want to quantify the biodiversity accumulating on those as well. We are looking for motivated students to join the efforts as soon as possible!

Culturing vulnerable marine invertebrates to study larval behaviour. We have cultures of corals and sea urchins and are using state-of-the-art technology to track their movements. We are interested how how behaviour is affected by various factors so we can better understand requirements of different life stages.

Studying physiological response of oysters when exposed to heat shock. From August on lab experiments will start researching impacts of heat waves on oysters. This is part of the FutureMares project and they're looking for motivated students!

Designing a sensor device to identify food sources of large elasmobranchs. With the opportunity to start any time, we are looking for an BSc or SRP student to work on the possibility of a miniature DNA sequencing device that can be placed on or inside sharks and rays to study diets. You are asked to find out what is necessary to create such a science-fiction sounding device.

Effects of ghost nets on benthic communities. We are looking for students who want to use video footage to identify potential impacts of lost and abandoned fishing gear on benthic communities. This project starts around spring 2022.

Assessing impact of electromagnetic fields on sharks and rays. This project revolves around the designing, executing, analysing and reporting laboratory experiments performed in St. Abbs Marine Station in Scotland. Three elasmobranch species will be exposed to different EMF levels and their behaviour will be assessed. We are looking for a highly motivated student to join this project around April 2022.

Figuring out to what extent mussel genotype affect performance. Starting in April 2022 a project will start on trying to unravel nature versus nurture. You will work with mussels raised in the same environment but coming from a distinct genetic background. We are interested in seeing whether there are inherited differences in performance such as clearance rate, etc.

For an overview of the type of work that is done at Marine Animal Ecology:

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